Concerning security measures (see more in the large photo report on the arrival and the opening): it's not so easy for ordinary spectators to enter the Fairmont hotel where the World Cup is being held. One has to show his ID card, at the very least.

Here you see International Master (and International Arbiter as well) Ilgar Bajarani who forgot his passport and has to stay outside, trying to solve the problem. Besides, I've heard a rumour that even an ID card isn't a guarantee of being let in.

However, as soon as you are inside, you'll have no problems. The players also feel at ease: the playing hall is very comfortable if not perfect, taking into account the number of participants. The spectactors have got a zone allocated especially for them.

Australian GM and journalist Ian Rogers stands between two coaches - Alexander Khuzman and Yury Yakovich.

This room can be entered via one of the doors in the playing hall. Probably this is the analysis room. If there were no chess attributes and the logo, I'd think it's a spa salon.

In general, everything here resembles a luxurious sauna.

* * *

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was among the first players to have qualified for round 2.

This is a rare moment when one could see a smile on his face. Shakh is in a serious and fighting mood, feeling respect towards all the players and not going to underestimate anyone. When asked about who he would prefer to face in round 2 - Hou Yifan or Leko, he said that both opponents are far from easy.

Mamedyarov answers in Azeri language, but the English translation is being provided. Eteri Kublashvili (RCF website) and Shakhriyar's nephew are all ears.

Another hero who cheered up the local fans is Rauf Mamedov. He defeated Evgeny Najer - 1.5-0.5.

I have to admit that I didn't attend the press conference with Mamedov, because I was talking to Vladislav Artemiev. However, as soon as I entered the press room, I heard from Rauf: "It's time for Louis van Gaal [coach of Manchester United football club - E.S.] to calm down". Not a bad headline for non-chess world press, isn't it?

Journalist Teimour Tushiyev is happy to hear such answers.

Evgeny Najer, the reigning European champion, is leaving Baku. Faced with necessity to win as White, he played as recommended in such situations: he neither hasted nor entered forcing play, but pressed accurately, awaiting the opponent's mistake. However, it didn't do. It seems that the reason is Rauf Mamedov's excellent form - something to be considered by Caruana!

* * *

Mariya Muzychuk failed to pass an exam. But what to do if the professor knows too much about chess?

In a roughly equal endgame, Muzychuk made a fatal mistake of entering the territory particularly familiar for Adams. Meanwhile, different sources, including our website, have emphasized many times that Mickey is one of the best world experts in opposite-coloured bishops endgames. His victories in such positions, often obtained in a miraculous way, are unnumerable...

Let's imagine the same tournament played under one special condition - all the games start from randomly chosen equal positions in which the sides have only rooks, opposite-coloured bishops and pawns. Even if Carlsen and Anand were present, I'd bet on Mickey's victory!

To be honest, I had planned another ending, but it's too far from woman's affairs. As this report started with Mariya, let it end with Mariya. The rest shall remain for my later reports. Stay tuned!

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Our photo-correspondent paid another visit to the Russian Team Championship at the Zhemchuzhina Hotel, Sochi. On this occasion Mikhail Sholudko found not only old faces in the playing hall but also the heroine of a currently popular song in Russia by Sergey Shnurov (which can be viewed with English subtitles here - be sure to select the required subtitle language via the Settings icon on the video's screen). His hand nevertheless remained steady and his camera intact.

You won't believe it, but Anand has already caught Carlsen. I saw it with my own eyes, and was even involved in the event.

I did not manage to photograph the exact moment, because at the time, I was sitting in Anand's car. But take my word for it: Carlsen as always, walked to the tournament hall, whilst Anand quitely drove with his whole team and the security people.

On the rest day in Khanty-Mansiysk, the participants of the Grand Prix planted trees in front of the Ugra chess academy building, whilst Kirill Merkuriev photographed how the GMs tried to avoid getting their hands dirty.

On 1st May in the Sochi hotel Zhemchuzhina [Pearl - Ed] the national club championships started, the biggest mass chess event in Russia. In the annually-changing club line-ups, this year we have not just stars, but superstars.

Our photo correspondent Mikhail Sholudko decided to join with the proletariat of all countries and this is what happened.